New Apple Watch Detects Possible Sleep Apnea

“My Apple Watch says I might have sleep apnea, so what’s next?”

The latest Apple Watch includes a new feature alerting users of possible sleep apnea. This is an exciting development, but what should you do if you get this notification? What kind of doctor diagnoses sleep apnea? Are treatments available? Interestingly, of the 30 million Americans who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 80% are undiagnosed. So, the new Apple Watch feature could help more people get the sleep apnea testing, diagnosis, and treatment they need, as long as people can successfully navigate the complex healthcare system.

That’s where the non-profit, Project Sleep can help! Below is everything you need to know to take action if your watch says you might have sleep apnea.

Photo Credit: Apple

On September 9th, 2024, Apple described the new sleep apnea feature in their press release,

“Every 30 days, Apple Watch will analyze breathing disturbance data and notify users if it shows consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea so they can speak to their doctor about next steps, including potential diagnosis and treatment.”

These new notifications are important and should be taken seriously. But what if you are not familiar with sleep apnea or how to find a sleep specialist (the doctors who primarily diagnose and treat sleep apnea)?

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a type of sleep disordered breathing where people repeatedly stop breathing during sleep. It is a very common condition, affecting up to 25% of adults in the United States.

If your Apple Watch notifies you of possible sleep apnea, it’s important to know that not everyone experiences the same symptoms or all the symptoms listed below, but take note if any that resonate with your experience. Next, you’ll want to bring this information to a board-certified sleep medicine specialist. In the United States, the best place to start is to visit one of the 2,700 AASM-accredited sleep centers, which have board-certified sleep doctors on staff.

Nighttime Signs & Symptoms

• Loud snoring or gasping while sleeping
• Silent pauses in breathing while sleeping
• Going to the bathroom frequently during the night
• Insomnia or waking often during the night
• Lower sexual desire and erectile dysfunction

Daytime Signs & Symptoms

• Difficulty staying awake during the day
• Feeling tired or low-energy
• High blood pressure
• Waking up with a dry mouth or headache
• Feeling unrefreshed, even after sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating and remembering
• Mental health issues, grumpiness and irritability

Photo Credit: Apple

The Apple Watch sleep apnea notification feature is not a diagnostic tool to test for sleep apnea; it gives people a notification to see their physician if signs of sleep apnea are detected. However, that is a powerful tool in reaching the large number of people with undiagnosed sleep apnea. As Dr. Roland shares,

Learn More about Sleep Apnea

Project Sleep’s Sleep Apnea Squad educational series covers a wide variety of topics to help people living with sleep apnea and their loved ones navigate both the medical journey and the social experience.

Meet People Living with Sleep Apnea

Project Sleep’s Rising Voices program serves the dual purpose of fostering a new generation of patient-advocates spreading awareness of sleep disorders while empowering participants.